This Juneteenth, we celebrate us — our legacy, our resilience, and our joy. We commemorate that moment in Galveston, Texas, when enslaved Black people were FINALLY told they were free, two and a half years after emancipation had officially been declared. We honor the truth that Black freedom has never simply been granted — it’s always been fought for, carved out, and protected with everything we’ve had.
At TOP, we will be returning to Galveston, not just to mark a date in history, but to connect the spirit of our ancestors who dreamed of a world we’re still building. We’re making a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Juneteenth — to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to recommit to our ongoing journey toward liberation.
“Juneteenth is not just a reminder of delayed freedom, it’s a reminder of unstoppable Black courage and vision,” said Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board Co-President.
“Even after centuries of being chained, cheated, and treated callously, we are STILL here — leading, creating, loving, and rising. This day is about the power we have always had within us. And as we celebrate, we remember we come from people who made liberation possible through their faith, inner-fire, and most importantly, being there for each other.”
Tarasha Hollis, Statewide Political Data Coordinator, shares her perspective on the significance of Juneteenth and recommitting to the fight for true freedom:
“We are standing on the shoulders of ancestors who faced terror, yet still found ways to share joy; people who were denied basic rights, yet still found ways to build futures. But let’s be abundantly clear: there are politicians today who are working just as hard to roll back our rights — to silence our voices, ban our stories, and inflict harm on our communities. One of the most critical ways we can fight back against reductive and oppressive politicians and policies, is by deciding to still find joy, to still celebrate each other and our wins, and to continue to build community amongst one another. Our shared joy must be our fuel. We owe it to those who laid the foundation to organize, vote, and demand better. THAT is how we honor Juneteenth.”
Even as we withstand modern-day attacks on our people — from book bans to housing injustice, voter suppression to ICE raids, we know the truth: Black Texans are not new to the struggle, and we’re never without power.
This is Juneteenth. We won’t just reflect, we’ll reignite. We rise in celebration. We rise in memory. We rise in action.
Because our freedom is sacred and our joy is political. And our movement will never be stopped.
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About Texas Organizing Project:
TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.